6 Historic Sunglasses to Rock this Summer

With summer now in full swing and the sun out almost everywhere, summer wardrobes have already made their appearance. One of the most defining parts of a summer wardrobe is the sunglasses. 

Just like the sunglasses you wear this summer can be a defining part of your style (as well as keeping the sun out of your eyes), many of the best known looks throughout history and in film also depended on an eye catching pair of sunglasses. These are some of our favorite vintage sunglasses that would be great a great addition to your modern style this year.

Most Memorable Celebrity Sunglasses

There are some celebrities and fictional characters from movies that defined style for decades. Even today, many sunglasses are most recognized for the celebrities that wore them.

Although it has been many years, in some cases decades, since these glasses first debuted, wearing these can still be as fresh a look this summer as they originally were:

• James Dean and Horn Rimmed Sunglasses – Dark horn rimmed sunglasses with black frames defined the 1950s after James Dean wore them in Rebel Without a Cause in 1952, but these vintage Wayfarer style sunglasses are a look that works in any decade. Stick with the black frames to look like James Dean, or go for tortoiseshell or a brighter color pair of vintage horn rimmed glasses for a slightly different look.
• Malcolm X and Browline Glasses – The civil rights activist Malcolm X made browline glasses part of his look, including when wearing sunglasses. These vintage sunglass frames have an aluminum or plastic piece at the brow. Malcolm X often had his browline glasses in multiple colors and wore them with dark lenses.
• Audrey Hepburn and Cat Eye Glasses – For a more feminine take on the dark sunglasses style, Audrey Hepburn wore the iconic tortoiseshell sunglasses with gray lenses in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1962. These were a later style of cat eyeglasses with a more subtle shape and oversized frames. Audrey Hepburn sunglasses make the perfect statement pair of frames.
• Steve McQueen and Horn Rimmed Glasses – Further showing that vintage horn rimmed sunglasses are the epitome of cool, actor Steve McQueen wore horn rimmed glasses with blue tinted lenses in The Thomas Crown Affair in 1968. Like James Dean’s iconic shades, these vintage sunglasses are a look that never goes out of style for men and women.
• John Lennon and Windsor Glasses – Later in his career, John Lennon was almost never seen without the vintage round glasses he became known for. Even in the 70s when he wore them, wire round glasses were already a vintage style, but one that became so synonymous with Lennon that they are often known as John Lennon glasses today.
• Jackie O’s and Oversized Sunglasses – In the 60s and 70s, Jackie Kennedy frequently wore sophisticated, oversized sunglasses in a range of different styles and colors that became a signature part of her look. A large pair of vintage sunglasses lets you bring that same refined style to your own wardrobe.

If your look this summer needs to include your own pair of vintage sunglasses whether you are imitating a favorite celebrity or defining your own style, Eyeglasses Warehouse has all of the vintage frames you are looking for. We offer genuine vintage glasses from the 1900s to the 1970s, as well as retro glasses

In popular styles like John Lennon glasses, rimmed glasses, and others that are brand new but with a vintage look. 

All of our glasses are of optical quality, making it possible to add in the lenses of your choice, including on prescription sunglass lenses. Start your search and find your perfect style of vintage sunglasses at Eyeglasses Warehouse today.